Agitating mixer



May 4, 1965 J, BOEHM AGITATING MIXER Filed Aug. 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 4, 1965 BQEHM AGITATING MIXER Filed Aug. 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 zy i, INVENTOR Josg; .BOEHM BY M 1% 1,444.

ATTORNEYS May 4, 1965 J. BOEHM 3,181,841

AGITATING MIXER Filed Aug. 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a, v

INVENTOR Jose/"B oe/m w lg/flr M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,181,841 AGITATING MIXER Josef Boehm, 1311 Hermitage Ave. SE, Huntsville, Ala. Filed Aug. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 215,887 4 Claims. (Cl. 259-72) The present invention is concerned with a device for mixing and agitating a fluid and more particularly with a device for converting a rotary motion into combined uniplanar oscillatory and rotary motion and imparting this combined motion to a fluid thereby mixing and agitating the constituents thereof. The term fluid is used herein in its broadest sense to include any solid or solids, liquid or liquids or gas or gases or any combination thereof in which some portions of the substance are movable with respect to other portions of the substance.

In mixing and agitating a fluid it has been found that it is the change in direction and speed of motion of portions of the fluid with respect to other portions of the fluid, and the container, rather than the rotation of the fluid about a fixed axis at a fixed speed or the movement of the fluid in a single direction at a constant speed that results in the quickest, most thorough and most eflicient mixing of the fluid. The eddy diffusion induced by the turbulent motion of the fluid is enhanced by the impinging of portions of the fluid on the walls of the container being moved with a compound motion. Apparatus for mixing and agitating fluid in a compound motion as disclosed in the prior art has been cumbersome, and unreliable because of the large number of moving parts in the mechanism for imparting motion to the container.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for mixing and agitating a fluid by subjecting the fluid to two dimensional accelerations in a plane using a floating oscillatory motion and simultaneous centrifugal force about an axis parallel to the plane of the oscillatory motion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of the type described that is both compact and durable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the fluid container may have ribs secured to its interior walls so that the fluid is subjected to turbulent motion as it is mixed and agitated.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the motion is transmitted to the fluid through the coaction of a motor and a compact mechanical linkage.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following specification and appended claims.

My invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment of my invention is shown.

In the drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the device of my invention including the housing and the container, partially broken away to show the interior of the container;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the device of my invention with the housing removed to show the mechanism;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the mechanism showing the movement imparted to the linkage by rotation of the cranking member; and,

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic side elevational view illustrating by dotted lines the locus of the displacement imparted to typical points of the container by the mechanism. These loci being generally referred to in the art as coupler curves.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the

3,181,841 Patented May 4, 1965 present invention comprises a mechanism for converting rotary motion to compound motion for mixing and agitating the components of a fluid. In FIGURE 1 the mechanism is enclosed within the housing 10. The container 11, which is mounted on a quick release container holder 12, is shown with a portion of its sidewall broken away showing ribs 13 secured to the interior thereof which aid in mixing and agitating any liquid,,cornbination of liquids, liquids and solids, combination of particulate solids or aerating the same when they are placed in the container. The container cover 14 is secured to the container by screw threads, bayonet clamps, over the center clamps or any suitable means that will secure the cover 14 to the container 11 so that none of the container contents are lost when the container is being subjected to rap-id compound motion by the mechanism. Likewise the quick release container holder 12 may have screw threads, bayonet clamps, over the center clamps or any other means that will secure the container 11 to the end 15 of the motion transmitting floating coupler link 41 while the fluid in the container is being agitated and mixed, but will allow the quick removal of the container from the motion transmitting means when desired.

The slidable lever 16 protruding from the slot 17 controls the speed of the drive motor thus controlling the speed of motion of the container 11.

The mechanism and housing 10 are supported on base 18.

As best illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 4, in the embodiment of the invention therein shown a drive motor 19, which may be any compact electric motor whose speed is controllable and has a reduction gearing means 34 coaxial therewith is secured to the base 18 by an L bracket 20. A bevel gear 21 is secured to the end of the motor shaft 22 and a second bevel gear 23 is secured in cooperative relationship with the first bevel gear 21 so that the rotary motion supplied to the shattt 24 that is integrally coaxial with the second bevel gear "23 is at a right angle to the rotary motion supplied to the shaft 22 by the motor 19.

A driving crank 25, which is rod-like or arm-like in shape, is rigidly secured at its end 26 to the shaft 24 so that the longitudinal axis of the driving crank forms a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 24. Being secured in this position the crank will be rotated by the motor so that the locus of the opposite end 27 of the crank is a circle which lies in an imaginary plane parallel to the shaft 22 of the drive motor 19. An elongated coupler member 28 is pivotably secured to the end 27 of the driving crank so that the coupler member rotates wtih respect to the driving crank in an imaginary plane lying parallel to the driving crank. An elongated follower member 29 is pivotably secured at one end 30 to a follower support 31 that is mounted on the base 18 and pivotably secured at its other end 32 to the end 33 of the coupler member so that said follower member oscillates about its end 30 in an imaginary plane lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupler member 28. In this manner, the driving crank 25, the coupler member 23 and the follower member 29 rotate or oscillate with respect to each other within parallel imaginary planes that are also parallel to the long axis of the motor 19 and reduction gearing means 34.

The joint 35 lying at the point of secnrement of the end 32 of the follower member and the end 33 of the coupler member oscillates along the line A-B as the driving crank 25 rotates. Line A-B lies in an irnaignary plane that is perpendicular to the base 18.

Two elongated arms 36 and 37 are rigidly secured to the central portion of the coupler member 28. Arm 37 extends from the coupler member at approximately right J angles to the longitudinal axis of the coupler member. Arm 36 extends from the coupler member at an angle that is acute with respect to the longitudinal axis is of the coupler members and the end 33 of the coupler member.

Each arm 36, 37 extends in an imaginary plane parallel to the driving crank 25, the follower member 29 and the coupler member 28 to a point such that an imaginary line drawn between the centers of the outer extremities of arms 26 and 27 passes through the joint 35 which connects the coupler member 28 and the follower member 29. A boss, 38 and 33 is mounted integrally with the outer extremity of each arm, 36 and 37 respectively. Each boss 38 and 39 has a sleeve 4% bored longitudinally therethrough so that the two sleeves have common axis, this axis being parallel to the imaginary line drawn between the centers of the outer extremities of the arms 36 and 37.

The sleeves 40 in the bosses 38 and 39 serve as bearings for a shaft like floating coupler link 41 which is journalled for the rotation in the bearings and extends therebetween and above the arm 36 and below the arm 37. A bevel pinion 42 is rigidly mounted on the link 41 at a point on the link below the arm 37. The axis of rotation of the link 41 in the sleeves 40 is coincident with the axis of rotation of the bevel pinion 42. At the end of the link 41, above the arm 36 of the coupler member 28, a quick release container holder 12 (FIGURE 1) is rigidly removably secured as by screw threads 43.

A segmental bevel gear 44 is rigidly mounted on the follower member 29, the center of revolution of the gear being coincident with the joint 35 between the coupler member 28 and the follower member 29. The bevel gear 44 is mounted on the follower member so it lies in a plane parallel to the follower member but is displaced from the plane of the follower member in the driection of the plane of the driving crank 25. Webs 45 extend from the follower member 29 to the bevel gear 44 to provide strength for the mounting of the bevel gear to the follower member. The bevel gear 44 is mounted in such a position that the teeth 46 of the rack 47 of the bevel gear 44 mesh with the teeth 48 of the bevel pinion 42 that is mounted on the shaft like floating coupler link 41.

In operation, a fluid to be mixed and agitated such as paint, cocktail mix, a chemical solution or the like, is placed in a suitable container, and the container cover is secured to the quick release container holder 12 by means of suitable clamps (not shown) and the lever 16 (FIGURE 1) is slid along the slot 17 until the selected speed of mixing and agitating is indicated and observed.

As the speed regulated drive motor 19 rotates the driving crank clockwise, acting through the reduction gearing means 34, the end 27 of driving crank 25 rotates the end 49 of the coupler number 28 in a clockwise orientation. The coupler member 28 coacts with the follower member 29 to oscillate their common joint along the line A-B. This oscillatory motion is transmitted by the coupler member 28 through its arms 36 and 37 to the shaft like floating coupler link 41 which transmits the oscillatory motion through the quick release container holder 12 to the container 11 and the fluid contained therein.

As the follower member 29 oscillates about its pivoted end 30 it causes the webbed bevel gear 44 that is secured to it to oscillate about the end 30 of the follower member.

As the end 49 of the coupler member moves clockwise carried by the end 27 of the driving crank 25 and the end 33 of the coupler member oscillates along the line A-B in cooperation with the follower member the shaft like floating coupling link 41 that is journalled in bosses 38 and 39 in arms 36 and 37 secured to the coupler member 28, moves through the same angle with respect to the radius R of the rack 47 of the bevel gear 44 that the coupler member 28 moves through with respect to the follower member 29 for each increment of motion.

The bevel pinion 42 rigidly mounted on the floating coupler link 41 being in cooperative relationship with the bevel gear 44, is rotated by the bevel gear when the floating coupler link is moved angularly with respect to the radius R of the rack 47. This rotary motion is trans mitted by the bevel pinion 42 to the floating coupler link 41 which transmits the rotary motion to the quick release container holder 12, the container 11 and the fluid.

Thus as is best shown in FIGURE 5, the rotary motion supplied by the drive motor 19 is changed by the four moving members of a mechanical linkage into an oscillatory motion in a vertical plane and a rotary motion whose axis lies in the plane of oscillatory motion. The dotted lines show the locus of the bottom point C, center of mass, D, and top point E of the container 11 as it passes through one complete oscillation, i.e., one revolution of the crank arm 25, and the container simultaneously rotates counterclockwise about its longitudinal axis rza as the coupler member 28 is moved angularly toward the follower member 29 and clockwise as the coupler member 28 is moved angularly away from the follower member. The change in acceleration magnitude and direction throughout a complete cycle of movement is such that the elements of the fluid are violently agitated and mixed by colliding with other elements of the fluid and with the walls of the container.

In that the geometry of the embodiment shown can be somewhat modified and still be capable of imparting the motions described herein to a fluid it should be recognized that broadly the invention is a device for imparting a complex motion to a fluid in a container by rotatably supporting the container on a floating coupler link of a mechanism and by superimposing a rotating motion and an oscillating motion on the container. The oscillating motion may be derived from an adjacent link or by suitable connections between the container support and the frame of the device.

Although an embodiment of my invention has been shown having an oscillatory motion in a vertical plane and a rotary motion about an axis lying in that vertical plane, it should be understood that any orientation of the components of my invention which produces the motion described, is within the contemplation of my invention.

Although a simple sleeve hearing has been shown for journalling the floating coupler link for simplicity and ruggedness, it is contemplated that there are applications of my invention wherein a more complex bearing assembly would be preferred.

Many modifications may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof as set forth in the objects of this invention. The embodiment set forth is for the purpose of illustration of the principles of the invention and therefore it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for mixing and agitating a fluid comprising a driving motor, a driving crank connected to said motor, said motor imparting a rotary motion to said crank, a coupler member pivotally secured to said driving crank, a follower member pivotably secured at one end to said coupler member and pivotably secured at the other end to a follower support, a bevel gear mounted to said follower member, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to said coupler member, said arms having journal bearings positioned therein, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bearings, a bevel pinion secured coaxially with said shaft at one end of said shaft, said bevel pinion being in cooperative relationship with said bevel gear, a container holder also secured to said shaft, a fluid filled container removably secured to said container holder, said fluid being accelerated in a two dimensional system in an oscillatory manner and simultaneously rotated about an 5 axis that is parallel to said two dimensional system by the action of said driving crank as transmitted to said container and said fluid.

2. A device for mixing and agitating a fluid as in claim 1 wherein the container has a plurality of ribs rigidly attached to the inside of walls thereof, said ribs increasing turbulent motion in the fluid thereby aiding the mixing and agitating of said fluid.

3. A device for mixing and agitating a fluid comprising a drive motor, reduction gear means secured to the shaft of said motor, a cranking member connected to said reduction gearing means said motor rotating said cranking member, a coupler member pivotably connected to said cranking member, said coupler member oscillating in a plane said plane being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said coupler member, a follower member pivotably connected at one end to said coupler member and pivotably connected at the other end to a stationary follower support, said follower member oscillating in a plane parallel to said coupler member, bearings supported by said coupler member, a bevel gear secured to said follower member, a shaft mounted in said bearings, said shaft oscillating with said coupler member, a bevel pinion mounted on said shaft, said bevel pinion being, coaxial with said shaft, said bevel gear cooperating with said bevel pinion rotating said shaft, a fluid filled container removably secured to said shaft, said container oscillating and rotating with said shaft thereby mixing and agitating said fluid.

4. Apparatus for mixing and agitating a fluid comprising: an elongated crank supported for rotation about a point adjacent a first end of the crank; a stationary support; an elongated follower member pivotably secured adjacent a first end thereof to the support; an elongated coupler member having its first end pivotably secured to the second end of said crank and its second end pivotably secured to the second end of the follower member; an arcuate rack secured to the follower member intermediate the ends thereof being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the follower member and having its center of curvature coincident with the pivot axis between the second end of the follower member and the second end of the coupler member; means journalling an elongated shaft-like floating coupler link on said coupler member for rotation with respect thereto; the longitudinal axis of said floating coupler link generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupler member; a pinion coaxially fixed on said floating coupler link and arranged to drivingly engage the arcuate rack on the follower member; a container secured to the floating coupler link at a position thereon spaced from the pinion; whereby, during one rotation of the crank, each point on the container is moved through a closed coupler curve and said pinion cooperating with said arcuate rack rotates the floating coupler link and container alternately in a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,382,181 6/21 Emery 74-86 2,021,209 11/ 35 Taccogna 259-91 2,520,556 8/50 Massey 259-91 XR 2,610,041 9/52 Stahl 259-72 2,965,274 12/60 Brillis et a1 259-72 3,008,317 11/61 Beshur 259-72 XR 3,061,280 10/62 Kraft et al 259-72 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. LEO QUACKENBUSH, Examiner. 

3. A DEVICE FOR MIXING AND AGITATING A FLUID COMPRISING A DRIVE MOTOR, REDUCTION GEAR MEANS SECURED TO THE SHAFT OF SAID MOTOR, A CRANKING MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID REDUCTION GEARING MEANS SAID MOTOR ROTATING SAID CRANKING MEMBER, A COUPLER MEMBER PIVOTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CRANKING MEMBER, SAID COUPLER MEMBER OSCILLATING IN A PLANE SAID PLANE BEING PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID COUPLER MEMBER, A FOLLOWER MEMBER PIVOTABLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID COUPLER MEMBER AND PIVOTALY CONNECTED AT THE OTHER END TO A STATIONARY FOLLOWER SUPPORT, SAID FOLLOWER MEMBER OSCILLATING IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO SAID COUPLER MEMBER, BEARINGS SUPPORTED BY SAID COUPLER MEMBER, A BEVEL GEAR SECURED TO SAID FOLLOWER MEMBER, A SHAFT MOUNTED IN SAID BEARINGS SAD SHAFT OSCILLATING WITH SAID COUPLER MEMBER, A BEVEL PINION MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT, SAID BEVEL GEAR COOPERATING WITH COAXIAL WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID BEVEL GEAR COOPERATING WITH SAID BEVEL PINION ROTATING SAID SHAAFT, A FLUID FILLED CONTAINER REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID SHAFT, SAID CONTAINER OSCILLATING AND ROTATING WITH SAID SHAFT THEREBY MIXING AND AGITATING SAID FLUID. 